Pre-Paid Hope

Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting a sixty-seven year old homeless man named Tom. In the last couple months I've noticed a growth of homelessness near  the edges of our city, but something about Tom was significantly different.

At first I gave Tom some change and offered to pray for him in passing, but once I returned to my car and preceded to drive off, something vibrant was telling me to go back. I got out of my car and decided I wasn't going to ignore what God had put on my heart, and that my agenda will not be put before someone in need.

In returning to where Tom was sitting, I began to ask him about his story, and how he ended in the predicament he was today.

Five years ago Tom lost everything he owned to Hurricane Katrina, and has been homeless ever since. He made his way to California to "try and make it", but has fallen short like many others in similar situations. 

I came to find that Tom has no family, no friends, or living relatives within his reach. And the only person he had talked to in the last few years, was me.

I preceded to ask Tom if there was anything he needed. Or any way I could help.

1) Money?

2) Food?

3) Clothes?

4) A Cellphone?

Tom said, "a cellphone would be great for health related emergencies". I told Tom to meet me in the same spot the next day, and I would have a pre-paid cellphone waiting for him. 

Sure enough, at the same spot the next day, Tom was waiting for me and I had his cellphone in hand. He began to thank me, shake my hand, and tell me how grateful he was for the phone. After praying and getting him some lunch, we parted ways and for the last two weeks have not since him since.

Yesterday, on the way back to my car I heard a familiar voice yell, "Hey Jarrid!". And to my surprise, it was Tom, leaning up against the same curb grinning the same smile. I joyfully walked over to him and asked how he was doing, and where he had been. Tom began to share something with me that I will never forget. 

The day after I gave him the cellphone, Tom went into congestive heart failure underneath the bridge where he sleeps. Because of the cellphone, he was able to call 911,  and has been in hospital recovery ever since. 

Toms exact words to me were, "If it wasn't for that phone, I would NOT be here today".

That's no coincidence. That's God. 

- Jarrid Wilson 

The Right Time

Look around you. What are you waiting for?

God has divinely placed you in this very moment, to do something BIG for His kingdom.

There is no need to worry about who's watching, or what they might think. The only thing that matters are the people around you who DONT know the love of God, and the beauty He provides in our brokenness.

Don't miss out on this opportunity. And remember, God is with you through all.

The right time to do the right thing is right now.

2 Timothy 1:7 - For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Share His love.

- Jarrid Wilson

I Fear

In life, we all have certain things we are afraid of. Whether those "things" are spiritual, emotional or physical, fear can creep in at any time and stir up our insecurities.

I know we all have human emotions, but when it comes to reaching an encounter with God, why do we sometimes find fear on the path?

In scripture we constantly read stories of God protecting and rescuing His children. And although we know God is our protector, refuge, and strength (Joshua 1:9), we seem to forget these foundational qualities when faced with spiritual opposition.

Satan's says...

- "You're not strong enough."

- "You're not worthy enough."

- "You don't deserve this."
- "You can't do this."

  

Satan will do everything He can to get in the way of our spiritual confidence, and that includes using our feelings to distract the boldness and power of His truth.

Joshua 1:9 - Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.


2 Samuel 22:23 - My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior

Don't let your emotions get the best of your best relationship with God. 

-Jarrid Wilson

His Purpose

All throughout our lives, "I just want to live life" is a statement we've all heard, and possibly at one point even said ourselves.

No matter where you live, how much you make, or what you see as important, when it comes to desires, "living life" seems to top the charts in timeless fashion.

Now don't get me wrong, living life can mean a multitude of things. But when we get honest with ourselves, most of the time "living life" usually means, "Living For Me". 

1) My way

2) My plans

3) My goals

4) My prize

All of these scream selfish...

As Christians we are called to many things, but one of them is not to live for ourselves, but for God. Most of us would say life began the day we were born, but I want you to re-think that statement. 

Questions:

When did you find purpose?

  

When did you find comfort?

When did you find joy?

Your life begins once God becomes the reason you live it. For God has called us to live for His purpose. 

Proverbs 19:21 - Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.

- Jarrid Wilson

Tweet Etiquette

This is a post for anyone who calls themselves a follower of Christ. 

1 Timothy paints a wonderful picture of leadership within the church. If any of us aspire to lead others, (which we all should) we must take the contents of 1 Timothy to heart, evaluating our lives.

And now, I think we should do the same for our tweets. 

What do your tweets say about you?

Tweet Etiquette

1) Are your tweets above reproach? (1 Timothy 3:2)

2) Are your tweets violent, or pridefully confrontational? (1 Timothy 3:3)

3) Are your tweets managed well, and full of respect? (1 Timothy 3:4)

4) Are your tweets put above time with God, or your family? (1 Timothy 3:5)

5) Are your tweets non arrogant? (1 Timothy 3:6)

6) Are your tweets respected, and do they portray a good name? (1 Timothy 3:7)

7) Are your tweets sincere? (1 Timothy 3:8)

8) Are your tweets reflecting your faith in Gods truth? (1 Timothy 3:9) 

Ask yourself these questions, and evaluate your tweets. 

Out of the abundance of the heart a man tweets. (Luke 6:45)

- Jarrid Wilson

The Lions Den

Growing up, "Daniel and the lions den" was one of my all-time favorite Bible stories. Not only was it suspenseful and encouraging, but it orchestrated the beautiful truth of God being our protector and deliverer.

If I were to ask a general audience what the moral of the story was, a good percentage would probably say, "God protects", "God delivers", or "God is all powerful". And although all those answers are correct, I think there is a deeper meaning to the story.

Sometimes, we as Christians have this pre-conceived notion that just because we're believers, means God will keep us distant from every "bad" situation. We don't actually express it verbally, but it's definitely something that's crossed our minds.

Now don't get me wrong, our God does have the all-mighty power to fulfill this faithful thought. But if we really excavate Daniel 6, it's plain to see that's not always the case.

Daniel was...

1) Thrown into a lions den.

2) Expected to die.

None of these highlights scream "good situation" to me, but that's the beauty the story. Continue reading in Daniel 6:19-23 and you will see that not only does Daniel make it out alive, but he is "without injury because of his faith in God (Daniel 6:23)."

1) Daniel embraced his place.

2) Daniel trusted God.

3) God protected Daniel.

Psalm 5:11 - But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Stop searching for a faith that will keep you from the lions den, and start embracing the God who protects you in the lions den. 

- Jarrid Wilson

The Called

All throughout scripture, we see Jesus using broken people to share Hope to a broken world. He didn't use the popular, rich or successful, but rather the, poor, broken and faithful.

It doesn't matter where you've been, what you've done, or who you use to be. God can use all people for the good of His will. 

 

Abraham -Was old.

Elijah - Was suicidal.

Joseph - Was abused.

Job - Went bankrupt.

Moses - Had a speech problem.

Gideon - Was afraid.
Samson - Was a womanizer.
Rahab -  Was a prostitute.

Samaritan Woman - Divorced.

Noah - Was a Drunk.

Jeremiah - Was young.

Jacob - Was a liar.
David - Was a murderer.

Jonah - Ran from God.
Naomi - Was a widow.

Peter - Denied Christ three times
Martha - Worried about everything.
Zacchaeus - Was small and money hungry.

The Disciples - Fell asleep while praying.

Paul - A Pharisee who persecuted Christians before becoming one.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

If you ever feel like you aren't worthy enough, remember that Jesus used broken people to share Hope to a broken people.

Jesus didn't call the equipped, He equipped the called.

- Jarrid Wilson